Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter, a pan African Non-Governmental Organization has launchedthe Action to End Violence against Children Project in the Rwenzori region – covering the three districts of Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kasese. The launch took place on Tuesday December 18, 2018 at Kaalya Courts Hotel, Fortportal.

The project goal is to contribute to improved access and retention of children especially girls in primary and secondary education cycle. It aims to contribute to the reduction of the levels of violence against children, especially girls in both schools and communities, thus leading to improved access, retention, completion, safety and enjoyment of children’s fundamental freedoms and human rights. The intervention focuses on addressing the root causes of violence against children in communities besides sensitizing them on dangers associated with it. This includes addressing the high poverty levels through improving livelihoods of families by engaging them in income generating activities and forming village saving groups, holding trainings on parenting skills and improving case management through reporting and ensuring that cases are successfully resolved and victims accessing justice.

Mrs. Susan Opok Tumusiime, the FAWE Uganda Executive Director said that, “This event is focused on sensitizing members of the public on the dangers and magnitude of violence against children in the Rwenzori region and Uganda as a whole. In addition to engaging key stakeholders in the community including local, religious and cultural leaders; teachers and school administrators, district authorities, members of the Uganda police force, parents and children themselves to end all forms of violence against children in and around schools.” She added that FAWE Uganda has been implementing interventions to end violence against children in the region before, a number of achievements have been realized but it’s important to sustain the change that has already happened as you know most of these issues we are fighting against including; sexual violence, corporal punishment, teenage pregnancy and child marriages are deeply entrenched in our cultures; you cannot just end them in a day, hence the need for a continuous sustained effort by all stakeholders.”

The implementation process involves working closely with communities to map out existing social norms that inhibit girl's access and retention in schools, building capacity of local, religious and cultural leaders, community members and parents on the different forms of child abuse, dangers of violence against children; skillful parenting, child protection, case management, life skills, gender and disability; income generating activities including; village saving and loan associations and financial management.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Mondo Kyateka, the Commissioner for Children and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mrs. Susan Opok Tumusiime the FAWE Uganda Executive Director and other guests posing for a group photo at the launch of the Community Action to End Violence against Children project.

The three year Community Action to End Violence against Children project will be implemented from October 2018 to September 2021 in and around 60 primary and secondary schools in the 3 districts of Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kasese. The project builds on the previous Violence against Children intervention that focused on preventing violence against children in and around 30 schools in the same districts. Some of the milestones realized in the first phase include; Re-entry of 125 child mothers back to school, children are more confident in advocating for their rights and issues affecting them using different platforms like music, dance and drama performances during community outreaches and home visits; increased reporting of violence against Children cases by learners, teachers and community members; adoption ofalternative punishments as opposed to brutal corporal punishment, realization of conducive and safe learning environment's in partner schools through use of suggestion boxes, talking compounds, approachable teachers, availability of emergency sanitary towels and debates; integration of VACiS in district work plans which have all contributed towards increased enrollment, improved performance and reduction in cases of sexual violence in partner schools and communities.

Through the adoption and use of a multi-sectoral approach and coordination with key stakeholders in ending Violence against Children agenda at the respective districts. The project is expected to change the negative cultural believes and social norms, attitudes and practices affecting girl’s education. Some of the outcomes include; decreased incidents of Violence against Children (VAC) with in the schools and communities, improved livelihoods and parents being able to provide basic needs for their children’s education, improved capacity of the community and school structures in the region to enforce child protection policies and evidence based demonstrative interventions that facilitate action on violence against children rolled out.

The launch was officiated by Mr. Mondo Kyateka, the Commissioner for Children and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on behalf of Hon. Nikawala Kiyingi, the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The event was also attended by other dignitaries including; area Members of Parliament, district authorities, Civil Society Organization representatives; local, religious and cultural leaders, members of the community and media.